Healthy Apple Marshmallows (Apple Sponge Squares)
Healthy Apple Marshmallows (Apple Sponge Squares)
Ingredients
- 4 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey, optional, adjust to taste
- 3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting, as needed
- 1/4 cup cornstarch, for dusting, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare a 8x8 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it and lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift out the marshmallows later. Lightly grease the parchment paper as well. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch for dusting and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped apples and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are very soft and easily mashable. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 20 min
- 3
Remove the saucepan from heat. Mash the cooked apples thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until a smooth applesauce consistency is achieved. If desired, pass the applesauce through a fine-mesh sieve for an even smoother texture, discarding any solids. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of the warm applesauce. If you have less, add a little more water to reach the desired amount. If you have more, reserve the extra for another use.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Return the 1 1/2 cups of warm applesauce to the clean saucepan. Add the optional honey, if using, and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin powder evenly over the surface of the warm applesauce. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to bloom.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Place the saucepan back over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is completely dissolved and no granules remain. Do not boil. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Pour the applesauce mixture into the prepared 8x8 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly with a spatula. Allow it to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min
- 7
Once slightly cooled, transfer the dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the mixture is firm and set.
⏱️ 240 min
- 8
Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the apple marshmallow slab out of the dish and place it on a cutting board. Dust the top generously with the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the slab into 1-inch squares. Dust the cut sides of each marshmallow with the remaining powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Healthy Apple Marshmallows (Apple Sponge Squares)
Ingredients
- 4 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey, optional, adjust to taste
- 3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting, as needed
- 1/4 cup cornstarch, for dusting, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Prepare a 8x8 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it and lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift out the marshmallows later. Lightly grease the parchment paper as well. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch for dusting and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped apples and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are very soft and easily mashable. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 20 min - 3
Remove the saucepan from heat. Mash the cooked apples thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until a smooth applesauce consistency is achieved. If desired, pass the applesauce through a fine-mesh sieve for an even smoother texture, discarding any solids. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of the warm applesauce. If you have less, add a little more water to reach the desired amount. If you have more, reserve the extra for another use.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Return the 1 1/2 cups of warm applesauce to the clean saucepan. Add the optional honey, if using, and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin powder evenly over the surface of the warm applesauce. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to bloom.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Place the saucepan back over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is completely dissolved and no granules remain. Do not boil. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Pour the applesauce mixture into the prepared 8x8 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly with a spatula. Allow it to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min - 7
Once slightly cooled, transfer the dish to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the mixture is firm and set.
⏱️ 240 min - 8
Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the apple marshmallow slab out of the dish and place it on a cutting board. Dust the top generously with the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the slab into 1-inch squares. Dust the cut sides of each marshmallow with the remaining powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
⏱️ 3 min